FUM News Blog

Field Staff, Director of Friends United Meeting–Belize - A Calling to Transformative Leadership

FUM Trustee Zelika Galavu visits the Ambwere farm

FUM Trustee Zelika Galavu visited the Ambwere farm sustainability project on behalf of the trustees on Saturday, March 21. She reports that maize planting was ongoing, and half of the land has been planted. The early planting germination is between 80% and 100%. Pictured are Zelika, Farm Manager John Kibet, and Treasurer Francis Makete.

Board Makes Changes to NAM Committee

At the March meeting of the Friends United Meeting General Board, North American and Caribbean section, board members agreed to changes in the work assigned to the North American Ministries committee of the board. Previously, the North American Ministries Committee was responsible for four FUM programs: Stoking the Fire, African Friends in North America (AFNA), Flourishing Friends, and Unleashing the Power.

Report from the FUM General Board

Friends United Meeting’s General Board met in person and via Zoom from March 6–8, 2025. The meetings started with a development session led by Colin Saxton, Director of Church Relations and Stewardship Theologian for Everence Financial Services. Colin initiated a discussion on how Everence could further build financial capacity within Friends United Meeting, prompting a deeper conversation among board members.

What Does it Mean to be Publishers of Truth?

In these partisan and divided times, when many Americans are arguing not only about how to respond to the truth, but what truth (or Truth) even is, Friends United Meeting has been asking what it means for us to be publishers of truth in this time. The FUM staff has agreed to the following guidelines for our news stories, social media posts, and our own personal communications, whether on social media or in person: • Share first-hand experience • Resist passing along AI “news,” or even an AI voice • Avoid creating or spreading memes that pass along partial truth without context• Ask whether what we are communicating will enhance a person’s dignity, or is intended to take dignity away

Wilmington College Students Visit FUM–Belize

Students from Wilmington College, led by WC Campus Minister Nancy McCormick, spent their Spring Break, March 8–15, in Belize at Belize Friends School, Centre, and Church, in Belize City. They volunteered in a number of capacities while there, including painting school rooms, leading games, and holding crafts sessions with children from the school’s neighborhood. Here are some of their reflections: